Strode Theatre begins search for Cinderella

Strode Theatre, which is staging its own community pantomime production of Cinderella at Christmas this year, has announced the team behind its productions and audition dates.

The pantomime, which will run from December 23, 2022 to January 1, 2023, and for which tickets are already on sale, will be Directed by Street-based stand-up comic and performing arts lecturer Gavin Fowler, assisted by Wells-based actor/theatre-maker George Oliver and Street-based early career Director Isobel Todd, who is currently completing her Masters in Theatre Direction, tutored by renowned stage-director Katie Mitchell.

Bridgwater-based actor-choreographer Dean Brammall, who was movement coordinator for Peaky Blinders, is choreographer; and composer, arranger, and performer E H Davies, who has been active in the southwest for more than twenty years, is composing the original musical score.

Strode Theatre’s contemporary take on the classic Cinderella fairy tale has been written by Strode Alumni Emily Keen and Scarlet Shaffer.

Scarlet said: “I dared to explore a crazy notion and my ability to write books and plays became a reality”.

Emily added “The opportunity the college and theatre have given us to co-write the pantomime is a dream come true.”

Emma Craigie and Amy Jones who teach the course at Strode College said in a statement: “Congratulations to Emily Keen and Scarlet Shaffer - two brilliant graduates from Strode College's English with Creative Writing Foundation Degree - who have gone straight on to write this wonderful pantomime.”

The creative team is now looking for the core cast, chorus, and ensemble singers and dancers from the local community, schools, and colleges through auditions starting on July 13 and 14.

Theatre Manager and Producer of the shows, Farès K Moussa, said: “Strode Theatre and Strode College has a rich heritage in nurturing and promoting talent in Somerset through community and professional shows, with many now working on professional stages and film-sets.

“As we approach 60 years of being a hub of arts and culture throughout mid-Somerset and beyond, we are very excited to be able to offer new opportunities - even more so than ever before - which are open to everyone to perform on our stage and work alongside industry professionals and coaches.

“The hunt for Cinderella and her supporting cast and roles for other shows is now on. “Whatever your experience, and - whether you want to do it for love or you are developing a career in acting, dancing, or singing - I would urge you to come forward. Auditions are free, fun, and open to everyone.”

The first stage auditions which will take place on the Strode Theatre stage and studios, are for the main cast; and anyone - whatever their experience - are encouraged to sign-up and audition.

Director of the Cinderella show, Gavin Fowler, said: “It is such a pleasure to be able to work on this production as we try to develop more opportunity and inclusivity in the area. The new script brings a fresh angle on the classic Cinderella story and I’m so excited to see it start coming to life on the stage.”

Also in-production at Strode Theatre is a double-bill of Harold Pinter’s “A Kind of Alaska” and Samuel Beckett’s “Krapp’s Last Tape” to be directed by local community theatre actor/directors Susie Tookey and Neil Howiantz.

Commenting on this production, Neil said: “We are delighted to be able to bring these two excellent plays to production in the local area with Strode Theatre Productions. We really like the new ethos of openness in show-production which Strode Theatre is developing, which we hope can bring more diversity to the programme, but also help to support the theatre in Box Office revenues”.

The Pinter and Becket double bill is part of a new move to bring a broader range of classic, new and “scratch” (ideas and works in development) theatre to the area in ways which involve community.

These announcements come amid ongoing financial challenges which the theatre has been facing for over ten years, exacerbated by the pandemic.

Farès said: “As we face a new financial reality with a difficult outlook over the coming years, it has become important that we make better use of our assets, and the pantomime season is one of those premium assets, which for many years now we have been letting out to third parties.

“For the majority of theatres in the UK, the pantomime is one of the most important sources of annual Box Office revenue and we intend to do the same as part of making the theatre financially more viable.

“It is also important that we focus our attentions on making Strode Theatre a hub for even more communities and individuals. It’s amazing how far and wide people come to support Strode Theatre -we want to build on this and ensure that we are reaching as many communities as we can; and live-up to the theatre’s original moniker as ‘the finest small theatre in the west’.

“We are developing relationships with local businesses and private benefactors to help raise money. I also hope that the newly formed Somerset unitary authority will herald fairer arts and culture funding in Somerset. I am hopeful for the future, but there is a lot of hard work to do in the meanwhile.”

Auditions for the pantomime take place on Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 July from 6pm at Strode Theatre in Street; and auditions for Becket and Pinter will take place at the end of July (full details to be announced).

Booking a place in the auditions in advance is essential.

Full details for anyone interested in auditions can be found here.